I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 125 Deep-Sea Ruins?

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It's important to know that Rhodes' mental strength was enhanced by the Spirit Gem, making his senses far more acute than those of ordinary people.

"Wait a moment, Vivian, you go back first."

Rhodes immediately ran out and called in Leah, Martha, and Durant.

Before Rhodes could even ask, Durant asked first, "Baron, where is Miss Vivian?"

Rod remained silent and did not answer, waving for them to leave.

If Durant can't see it, then no one else can either.

"Martha, go and make two bowls of clear soup. Miss Avril hasn't woken up yet and shouldn't eat anything too greasy."

"Okay sir."

Martha turned and went out to get busy.

Once again, only Rhodes and his two companions remained in the room.

Vivian stepped into the light again, and her figure reappeared.

"If you hide in the darkness now, I won't be able to find you."

Looking at the light, Rhodes added, "No, as long as you hide in the shadows, I won't be able to detect you."

As expected, Rhodes's guesses were all correct.

The egg-sized shadow gem, with its abundant energy, directly caused Avril's abilities to evolve.

Shadow clones, plus the ability to hide in shadows.

This ability is simply that of a born assassin!

I just don't know what it will be like during the day.

"Don't go to the salt mine for now. I'll have Sean send a carrier pigeon there."

Rhodes gave the instructions to Vivian.

Rhodes also needs to further test Vivian's abilities.

But she absolutely cannot waste any more time at the mine.

This ability, even setting aside assassination, makes it a deadly and formidable asset for nighttime battlefield reconnaissance.

"Whatever."

Vivian shrugged; she was just as carefree wherever she was.

Lia quickly brought over the hot soup, and the two felt much better after drinking it.

But because they had been lying down for a long time, neither of them was sleepy and neither wanted to go to sleep.

Rod spent a whole week worrying and couldn't spend any time with the two sisters.

Rod fell asleep immediately on the kang (a heated brick bed).

The next day, Rhodes tested Vivian's abilities and got a definite answer.

Vivian does have the ability to become invisible, but she needs to rely on shadows.

In areas with strong sunlight, Vivian's abilities are basically lost, and she can only have her presence slightly reduced.

During the day, if you use the shade, you can blend into the environment, but you will still be seen if you look closely.

However, Vivian's invisibility is greatly enhanced on cloudy days or at dusk, unless she is difficult to detect when she speaks.

At night, her abilities are even stronger, and even if she launches an attack, it is difficult to find her location.

They can only locate objects by sound.

With her abilities, Rhodes can no longer afford to let her go to waste.

Rhodes ordered Durant to teach her swordsmanship, and Aleia to teach her wilderness skills and methods of concealment.

Vivian was relatively weak, so Rhodes had the hunter teach her how to throw darts, so that she could master some ranged attack techniques.

The territory returned to peace.

After settling everything in, Rod finally had time to personally take Durant to inspect the salt mine.

Rhodes was filled with doubt.

What is the origin of this cave?
A gem on the stone slab allowed Avril's abilities to evolve.

Ancient tomb?

Or is it an ancient relic?

Rhodes was accompanied by his guards, the soldiers and slaves of the Earl of Falcon whom he had previously captured, and a few chicks.

After three days of travel, Rhodes arrived at the salt mine.

"Greetings, my lord."

The miners were all called out and greeted Rhodes in unison.

Rod nodded slightly, gave them a half-day off, and led his men into the mine.

Soon he stood at the entrance to the dark cave, and Rod took a deep breath.

Durant stepped forward and said, "Sir, I'll go in first. You can go in after I've checked and found there's no danger."

Gunle, who was standing nearby carrying an axe, couldn't wait to chime in.

"You guys wait outside, we'll go in and scout ahead!"

What are you two talking about?

Rhodes frowned as he looked at the two of them, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.
"Your lives are very important to me. I don't need you to pledge your loyalty to me at a time like this."

Rhodes reminded him somewhat seriously, "Don't always think about taking risks."

As he spoke, Rhodes beckoned to the guard, "Go and bring those chicks over."

"Yes, my lord!"

The guards hurriedly ran out and brought the chicken in, then tied thin ropes to its legs and put it inside the cave.

The chickens were frightened by the guards and driven into the cave, clucking intermittently.

After a while, Rhodes had the guards pull the chicken out.

The chicken was still alive, clucking incoherently.

This proves that the air inside is normal.

"Alright, you can go in now."

Rhodes instructed Durant, "Bring those five prisoners over."

Durant nodded and then pulled over the soldiers captured by Earl Falcon.

"Go down and investigate thoroughly, and don't get any funny ideas."

Rhodes stared at the five prisoners and said, "If there are no problems, you will be able to eat meat every day for the next week."

Rhodes was neither a fool nor a saintly philanthropist.

Given the potential dangers of these ruins and secret chambers, Rhodes certainly wouldn't risk it himself.

But Rhodes wouldn't let his trusted confidants go ahead to scout the way.

The more loyal a subordinate is, the more Rod cherishes their life.

Rhodes couldn't bear to see anyone die. So, this was the time for the soldiers and prisoners who couldn't go to the battlefield to prove themselves.

As the saying goes, "You raise captives and slaves for a thousand days, but use them for only one."

If they don't step up now, when will they?

Does Rhodes intend to wait until all his loyal guards have risked their lives before giving them a chance to defect?
If he were to do that, Rhodes would be letting down the soldiers who fought for him.

"Yes, yes, sir!"

The five captured soldiers nodded repeatedly.

These distrusted people were treated far worse than ordinary slaves, and rarely had the chance to eat meat.

They also want to perform well and live a good life.

The captured soldier took the weapon handed to him by Rhodes, and with a torch in hand, went into the cave.

After they walked in for several dozen meters and found nothing amiss, Rod waved for Durant to follow, and then stepped into the cave himself.

The cave's path resembles a spiral staircase, winding downwards.

The deeper you go, the more spacious the space becomes.

Strange patterns gradually appeared on the originally ordinary rock walls.

"Tell the people in front to slow down."

Rod gave the order, then took the torch and shone it on the wall, carefully examining the patterns on it.

It has fish bones, shells, nautiluses, crabs and other marine life, as well as a dense array of marine plants.

It is so lifelike, as if it were printed on the stone wall.

Something's not right, this should be a fossil.

Plant fossils take over a thousand years to form, while animal fossils take tens of thousands of years.

"It seems this is not a land-based ruin."

Rod muttered to himself, his gaze wandering over the patterns.

If this were in my past life, it would definitely have fetched a good price.

Rhodes sighed inwardly.

These fossils strongly suggest that this is a deep-sea relic.

"Keep moving forward," Rhodes commanded, waving his hand.

The soldiers continued forward.

Soon, the natural cave path suddenly turned into man-made steps.

Rhodes counted in his mind that after descending 134 steps, they arrived at a spacious, flat cave.

"Put torches around the area."

Rhodes gave the order.

As torches were placed around the area, the dark and empty cave was instantly illuminated.

A nearly five-meter-high reef wall inlaid with various seashells blocked Rhodes's way, while in the middle was a giant stone gate with exquisite carvings.

This open ground is covered with all sorts of fossils, forming strange patterns.

Upon closer inspection, Rhodes discovered that these were not ordinary marine creatures, but rather the legendary sea race with human bodies, fish tails, and horns on their heads.

Interspersed among these fossils are harpoon-like weapons.

These weapons do not appear to have turned into fossils.

As Rod stared at the patterns, a chill ran down his spine.

It seems a major battle took place here.

But all of that is in the past now.

"Durant, get the miners down here later and take all these weapons out."

Use what's usable, and remelt and reforge what's unusable as scrap metal.

Rod can't be wasted.

“Yes, Your Excellency.” Durant responded readily.

Rhodes looked around and found nothing unusual or dangerous outside.

If the fossils are tens of thousands of years old, then it proves that the site itself is also tens of thousands of years old.

"Are we going in?"

Durant pointed to the door and asked.

Rhodes nodded and ordered everyone to retreat.

He then instructed the five captured soldiers, "Try to open it."

"Yes, my lord."

The captured soldiers quickly responded and then stepped forward to push open the gate.

A captured soldier tentatively stepped forward and tried to move the stone door with his hand, but it did not budge.

"Help me!"

Immediately, five soldiers stepped forward and tried their best to push the door open.

They gritted their teeth and used all their strength to produce a rough, grinding sound.

The stone door was slowly pushed open.

The danger and anomaly that Rhodes had imagined did not occur.

He then waved his hand, signaling the captured soldiers to go inside.

As the torchlight illuminated the way, Rod discovered that it was a long corridor with a large door at the end, flanked by two rows of rooms.

Just like outside, there are no traces of life here except for various fossilized skeletons scattered all over the ground.

At the end of the gate, on either side, stood two statues of mermaids.

They were slender, with human-shaped upper bodies and strong, powerful muscles, each gripping a huge three-pronged harpoon.

Its lower body is a thick fish tail, covered with scales that shimmer with a cold light, each scale meticulously carved and lifelike.

The mermaid monster had a hideous and terrifying face, with a sharp, bony crown growing from its broad forehead.

His mouth was unusually large, extending from his lips to his ears, revealing several rows of sharp, saw-like teeth, and his grinning expression exuded a bloodthirsty cruelty.

What's even more frightening are their eyes.

High brow bones and deep-set eyes, with two blood-red gems embedded in them, gleaming eerily in the torchlight.

The mermaid monster is exquisitely and realistically crafted, lifelike and exquisitely made.

"The two gems in the statue's eyes are really beautiful."

The captured soldiers exclaimed in surprise and stepped forward with torches to investigate.

Be careful!

Rhodes reminded.

As soon as he finished speaking, a cracking sound suddenly came from the statue.

　The script was revised today, and I almost missed it.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)